Originally reviewed in April 2015, the Actron CP9185 OBD2 scanner is marketed as a versatile handheld tool capable of handling both OBD2 and some OBD1 diagnostics. As an automotive repair expert at vcdstool.com, I decided to put this tool through its paces to see if it lives up to the hype, especially for today’s market.
Unboxing the Actron CP9185 Kit
The Actron CP9185 scan tool comes neatly packaged in a soft case, accompanied by an instruction booklet, a CD, a main cable, a USB cable, and a short OBD2 (16-pin) adapter cable. My kit was missing the CD, which was a slight disappointment as it should contain the full user manual and potentially PC connectivity software. It’s worth noting that downloading software might be necessary if you intend to connect the scanner to a computer. Aside from the missing CD, everything else was in perfect order when I received it directly from Amazon for $175, including shipping. This price was notably lower than the typical $259+ from other Amazon sellers or Actron’s direct price of $398+. It appears I may have stumbled upon a deal, as the more common price point seems to hover around $150-$250 at retailers like Advance Auto Parts.
The scanner itself has a power button, but the display backlight requires an external 12V power source, either from the vehicle’s diagnostic link connector (DLC) or a DC adapter. This is crucial, especially for OBD1 vehicles which typically don’t supply power to the DLC, necessitating an external power adapter for those applications. OBD2 compliant vehicles, however, will power the unit directly through the DLC.
Diving into OBD1 Diagnostics with the CP9185
For those working on older vehicles, particularly OBD1 systems, the Actron CP9185 with the optional CP9127 OBD1 adapter kit ($35 extra) shows promising capabilities. The CP9127 kit includes a 12-pin adapter cable and a cigarette lighter power adapter, essential for powering the scanner on OBD1 systems. While the standard 16-pin OBD2 cable works on some later OBD1 vehicles like 1995 F-cars, earlier models like 1994s will require the CP9127 or a custom adapter cable due to the different DLC connector. A 12V AC adapter is also necessary for 1994 models. If you’re considering making your own adapter cable for a ’94, wiring diagrams are available.
My evaluation of the OBD1 functionality on several F-body cars, including 94/95 LT1, 94/95 L34, and an 86 5.0L/carb model, was positive. All vehicles connected successfully using the OBD1 adapter and provided at least three screens of live data, alongside current and historical Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs). The field service mode, which grounds the field service pin on the DLC, also worked effectively with the OBD1 cable. It’s worth noting that for 1995 OBD1 vehicles using the OBD2 cable, the field service mode won’t function correctly due to the relocation of the field service pin signal to prevent conflicts with CAN signals in later models. For proper field service mode operation on a ’95 OBD1 car with the OBD2 cable, you would need to manually connect pin 6 in the DLC to pin 12.
OBD2 Performance: A Disappointment
Unfortunately, the OBD2 performance of the Actron CP9185 is less impressive. In fact, its OBD2 capabilities are comparable to much cheaper basic OBD2 code readers like the Autel Maxiscan MS310 (http://www.amazon.com/MaxiScan-trade-Reader-AULMS310-Category/dp/B005KOZ25Y), which offers nearly the same functionality at a significantly lower price point. For comprehensive OBD2 diagnostics, software like OBDWiz, often bundled with inexpensive ELMScan-5 Compact adapters, provides a much more robust solution.
Limited Extra Features
The Actron CP9185 lacks support for advanced systems like ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) or SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) modules, and it doesn’t offer any actuator tests. While it provides graphing for some OBD2 parameters, the graphs are low resolution and cannot be paused for detailed examination. The manual mentions a “rewind” function for graph recordings, but this feature was not found to be functional during testing.
Data logging is available for both OBD1 and OBD2, but the recording time is very limited, sometimes under 20 seconds, and the data update rate is slow. PC connectivity is also restricted, mainly allowing for the transfer of logged data in a basic text format.
Final Verdict: Best Suited for OBD1, Less So for OBD2
In conclusion, the Actron CP9185 scan tool is primarily recommended for users who specifically require a handheld device for diagnosing OBD1 vehicles. Its OBD1 capabilities are quite useful, especially considering the age and complexity of these systems. However, for OBD2 diagnostics, the CP9185 is outperformed by cheaper and more feature-rich alternatives. If your focus is primarily on modern OBD2 vehicles, you might find better value and functionality elsewhere.
